Frequently Asked Questions | Thrive In Life Therapy

Common Questions About Our Root-Cause Approach

We know that starting therapy is a big decision. Below are answers to the most common questions about our online therapy services in CA. If you don’t see your question here, please feel free to reach out directly.

What is "Root-Cause" Therapy?

Most traditional therapy focuses on managing symptoms. At Thrive In Life Therapy, we go deeper. We help you identify the limiting beliefs, unresolved trauma, and nervous system patterns that cause your symptoms in the first place. By healing the root, the symptoms; like anxiety, burnout, and self-doubt, they begin to shift naturally.

What should I expect from a "Telehealth" session?

Forget the stiff office and the commute. Online therapy at Thrive In Life Therapy is designed to fit into your real life, not complicate it.

We encourage you to show up exactly as you are. Whether that’s in your workout gear after practice, your favorite hoodie, or sitting on your couch with a cup of coffee and your dog by your side, your comfort is a priority.

The benefits of our virtual approach include:

• Zero Commute: No more fighting traffic or rushing to find parking.

• Increased Privacy: You don’t have to worry about sitting in a public waiting room.

• Safe Space: Healing happens best when your nervous system feels safe. Being in your own environment allows you to go deeper, faster.

• Flexible Consistency: Whether you’re traveling within CA or just having a busy week, telehealth makes it easier to stay consistent with your healing.

What can I expect in the first session?

Your initial consultation is about fit. We’ll discuss what’s bringing you in, your history with anxiety, depression, trauma, performance, life transitions etc, and what your goals for healing look like. It’s a space for you to interview us, too, making sure you feel safe and understood is our first priority.

How long does therapy take?

Because we focus on root-cause healing, the timeline varies. Some clients find relief from acute stress in a few months, while others stay longer to do deep-dive EMDR work or performance therapy. We will check in regularly to ensure you are meeting your goals.

Is online therapy as effective as in-person?

Yes. Research shows that telehealth for anxiety and trauma is just as effective as in-person sessions. In fact, many of our clients (especially athletes and busy professionals) prefer it because it removes the stress of a commute and allows them to be in their most comfortable environment.

Why is EMDR Therapy offered as a Private Pay service?

At Thrive In Life Therapy, our specialists, are not just "trained" in EMDR, we are EMDR Certified with extensive advanced training in complex trauma and performance.

We choose to remain Private Pay for EMDR for several important reasons that directly benefit your healing:

• Customized Care vs. "Check-Box" Therapy: Insurance companies often dictate the length and frequency of sessions. By remaining private pay, we can offer extended sessions and EMDR Intensives that allow for deeper processing and faster relief than the standard 45-minute "insurance hour."

• Privacy and Discretion: To bill insurance, we must provide a mental health diagnosis that becomes a permanent part of your medical record. Many of our high-performance clients and veterans prefer the total confidentiality that private pay provides.

• Advanced Expertise: EMDR is a specialized, technical modality. We invest heavily in ongoing advanced training and consultation to ensure you are receiving the most modern, effective trauma protocols available; expertise that is rarely fully supported by insurance reimbursement rates.

• Focus on the Root Cause: Insurance often requires a focus on "symptom management." Private pay allows us the freedom to stay focused on root-cause healing, ensuring we are doing the deep work necessary for lasting change, not just a temporary fix.